There are now multiple polls that show Ron Paul has gained support and has a legitimate chance to come in first or second in Iowa and New Hampshire. I would now call Ron Paul one of three front-runners in both Iowa and New Hampshire alongside Mitt Romney and a third candidate, currently Newt Gingrich. If Ron Paul wins Iowa, which he might, all bets are off. Also, most analysts miss the fact that many states have open systems where independents, and in some cases Democrats, can vote for a Republican nominee. This could give a further boost to Paul.
It is now time to give Ron Paul the attention he deserves in debates and throughout the political community.

Budowski's a liberal hack, and all he's trying to do here is monkey-wrench the Republicans. Paul gets little respect because his support is the reverse of the Rio Grande: a mile deep and an inch wide. His supporters are undoubtedly committed; most folks would say they should be.
Paul won't win Iowa, and he won't win New Hampshire. Budowski wants him to make a third party run because he sees that as about the only way Hopey McChange can win a second term.